KEEPING IT BRIEF

VICTIMS CAN STILL CLAIM TRC MONEY

More than 600 people who qualify for reparation (money paid for loss or suffering) from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) have not yet come forward to claim the money.

People who have been confirmed by the TRC as victims can claim R30 000 reparation. They can do so by going to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development with their TRC reference numbers and ID books.

Some of the people who have not claimed, may have moved to new addresses or died or may not know that they can claim. Community-based organisations, family and friends are asked to help in the search for anyone who qualifies, but who has not claimed yet. The department is talking to the families of the victims who have passed away to find out who the beneficiaries are so that the remaining money can be paid to them.

- staff reporter

For more information contact the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development at: (012) 315 1286, (012) 315 1292 or (012) 315 1425

* Reparation - money paid to people or groups for loss , insult, injury or suffering.

North West

The province’s 2006 matric pass rate was 4 per cent higher than the previous year. It increased from 63 per cent in 2005 to 67 per cent in 2006. This is thanks to a plan introduced by the provincial department of education to im-prove matriculants’ performance. The number of learners who qualify to study at a university, increased to 967.

The provincial government is offering 20 bursaries to learners who have achieved top marks in the 2006 examinations.

- BuaNews

Western Cape

The redevelopment of Cape Town’s Greenpoint stadium and the Urban Park Multi-purpose Centre at the Green Point Common was approved in January. It will be a world-class venue which will host the semi-final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The centre will play an important role in the economic growth and development of Cape Town and the Western Cape.

- BuaNews

Eastern Cape

Two doctors from Tunisia offered their services free of charge at a Butterworth hospital in January as part of a co-operation agreement between South Africa and Tunisia. The doctors are eye specialists and came to South Africa for two weeks as volunteers. They did several eye operations for needy patients.

The agreement between the two countries was signed seven years ago. Meetings were held to discuss ongoing projects.

- BuaNews

Gauteng

Police in Gauteng bought 250 new vehicles to strengthen the province’s crime-fighting plan. The vehicles will be used mainly in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Ekurhuleni by the flying squad, crime fighting and dog units.

The province is also appointing more than 3 000 additional police officers. They include station commis-sioners, detectives, crime prevention officers, crime intelligence officers and support personnel.

- BuaNews

Northern Cape

The province’s top 100 matriculants will receive bursaries from the provincial government to continue their studies in fields where scarce skills are needed.

The Industrial Development Corporation, as well as the book publishers Maskew Miller are also offering bursaries to top performers in the matric exams.

- BuaNews

KwaZulu Natal

Last year, about 7 000 more girls wrote matric exams in KwaZulu-Natal than boys. Girls also per-formed better than boys in the exams said provincial Education MEC, Ina Cronje. In some subjects like Biology Higher Grade, girls are out-performing boys for the first time, she said.

About 21 000 of the learners who passed in the province qualify to study at universities.

- BuaNews

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